The original Walthamstow building opened in May 1887 as a meetings and performing arts venue. The cinema was one of the first venues to broadcast a film in the year of film's birth, 1896. It was made into the area's first full time cinema in 1906.
On the 15th September 1930 Walthamstow Granada opened as a Cine-Variety theatre which presented a mixture of live entertainment and films. The venue has held host to many live music events, famously The Stones and The Beatles in the 60's.
In 2000 English Heritage awarded the cinema Grade 2*(star) Listed Building status in recognition of its outstanding architectural and cultural significance, placing it amongst the most important 8% of buildings in Britain.
Sadly, after 116 years as the area's flagship site for arts and entertainment, the building closed its doors to the public in 2003 when it was purchased by a controversial Brazil-based religious organisation called the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG). It has been denied permission to develop the building into a church.
Go support the campaign - http://www.savewalthamstowcinema.org/
Here are a few pictures, it was a rushed visit and my photo skills back then were non-existent!
On the 15th September 1930 Walthamstow Granada opened as a Cine-Variety theatre which presented a mixture of live entertainment and films. The venue has held host to many live music events, famously The Stones and The Beatles in the 60's.
In 2000 English Heritage awarded the cinema Grade 2*(star) Listed Building status in recognition of its outstanding architectural and cultural significance, placing it amongst the most important 8% of buildings in Britain.
Sadly, after 116 years as the area's flagship site for arts and entertainment, the building closed its doors to the public in 2003 when it was purchased by a controversial Brazil-based religious organisation called the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG). It has been denied permission to develop the building into a church.
Go support the campaign - http://www.savewalthamstowcinema.org/
Here are a few pictures, it was a rushed visit and my photo skills back then were non-existent!
